Connecting structure, electrical device and television apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electrical device includes a rear chassis, a fastening member, and an attachment member. The rear chassis has a through-hole. The fastening member is disposed inside the rear chassis. The fastening member has a threaded hole. The attachment member retains the fastening member relative to the rear chassis. The attachment member has a first engaging part that engages with an internal portion of the rear chassis. The screw extends through the through-hole of the rear chassis and screwed into the threaded hole of the fastening member for attaching a wall-mount fixture to an external portion of the rear chassis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos.2011-59739 filed on Jul. 21, 2011, 2011-159740 filed on Jul. 21, 2011and 2011-224315 filed on Oct. 11, 2011. The entire disclosures ofJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2011-159739, 2011-159740 and2011-224315 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a connecting structure. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a connecting structurefor an electrical device and a television apparatus.

Background Information

Conventional television apparatuses are known to which a wall-mountfixture can be attached see Japanese Laid-Open Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2009-265223 (Patent Citation 1), for example).

This Patent Citation 1 discloses a television apparatus provided with adisplay panel (display unit), a rear chassis for housing the displaypanel, and an inside fixture used to attach a wall-mount fixture. Theinside fixture is made of sheet metal and disposed inside the rearchassis. The inside fixture includes a base part having a plurality ofthrough-holes for fixing the inside fixture to aback surface side of thedisplay panel, and a screw stop part having a threaded hole formed bycutting out from the base part. The inside fixture is screwed to thedisplay panel via the plurality of through-holes of the base part inastute in which the threaded hole of the screw stop part is disposed ina position overlapping the through-hole formed in the rear chassis.During attachment of the wall-mount fixture, a screw for fixing thewall-mount fixture is passed from the outside of the rear chassisthrough the through-hole of the wall-mount fixture and the through-holeof the rear chassis and screwed into the threaded hole of the screw stoppart of the inside fixture. By this configuration, the wall-mountfixture is fixed to the rear chassis.

With this Patent Citation 1, the inside fixture is fixed to the backsurface of the television apparatus (or a flat-screen display device) byscrew fastening. The wall-mount fixture having a hook part is fastenedby the screw to the inside fixture.

Another conventional attachment fixture is a sheet-metal member having aflat part with a bottomed cylindrical cavity formed by deep-drawing, andan attachment piece provided in a stepped shape continuous with the flatpart. An attachment screw insertion hole and positioning holes on bothsides thereof are formed in the attachment piece. The attachment fixtureis attached to an attachment seat formed in a back panel (rear panel) ofa television receiver so as to protrude inward. Specifically, a threadedhole and positioning projections are provided to the attachment seatprovided to the back panel. The positioning holes formed in theattachment piece of the attachment fixture are fitted on the positioningprojections. An attachment screw inserted in the attachment screwinsertion hole is screwed into the threaded hole. In this attachedstate, the flat part contacts with a seat surface formed on an insidesurface of the back panel. An internal space of the bottomed cylindricalcavity faces a through-hole formed in the back panel. An inside surfaceof the cavity is formed as a threaded hole.

Conventionally, when a television receiver employs this wall-mountedconfiguration, a machine screw inserted in the through-hole of the backpanel and screwed into the threaded hole of the cavity is used as amachine screw for fixing a wall-mount fitting, used to fix thetelevision receiver to a wall surface, to the back panel. In otherwords, a machine screw for fastening and fixing a wall-mount fittingprovided with a hook part to the back panel specifically corresponds tothe machine screw used to fix the television receiver to the wallsurface. The television receiver is attached to the wall surface byengaging the hook part of the wall-mount fitting, fixed to the backpanel by the machine screw with a mating-side locking member fixed to anindoor wall surface, for example.

A terminal fitting has also been proposed that enables additional leadwire connections to a box-type terminal fitting of an electricinstrument (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No.2009-265223 (Patent Citation 2), for example). A terminal block has alsobeen proposed that can prevent problems in assembly of terminal screwsand crimped terminals (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2011-3295 (Patent Citation 3), for example).

SUMMARY

With the conventional attachment fixture, the threaded hole for screwingthe machine screw is formed in the bottomed cylindrical cavity formed bydeep-drawing.

However, in order for a threaded hole with an adequate screwing depth tobe formed in the bottomed cylindrical cavity, it is essential that thecavity have a relatively large axial length in relation to the diameterdimension of the threaded hole. Numerous material and technicaldifficulties arise from the large draw depth that is required to form acavity with the required axial length by deep-drawing. Among variousproblems, as a result of breakage at the drawing site and increasedrates of defects in the attachment fixture, the material yield declines.Furthermore, since an expensive sheet-metal member suitable fordeep-drawing must be used, and the sheet-metal member must also be of asize that allows material to be made to flow into the deep-drawing site,the size of the attachment fixture itself increases.

On the other hand, the flat part of the attachment fixture can besubjected to a burring process or the like to form a through-hole. Athreaded hole can be provided by threading the inside surface of thethrough-hole. When this method is used, there is no longer a need toform a threaded hole in the bottomed cylindrical cavity formed bydeep-drawing, the material and technical difficulties described aboveare mitigated, and advantages in cost are also gained.

However, when the threaded hole is formed merely by a through-holecreated by simple burring, in a case where the user misapplies a machinescrew that is longer than the specified dimension for the machine screw,the machine screw protrudes from the threaded hole. When such amisapplication of a machine screw occurs, a distal end part of themachine screw passed through the threaded hole contacts a wiring board,an electrical/electronic component mounted thereto, or other energizedpart positioned in the vicinity of the location at which the attachmentfixture is attached. This leads to unexpected malfunctioning or anaccident.

In order to prevent such an occurrence, a bottom wall part is providedby deep-drawing integrally with the cavity in which the threaded hole isformed, and the cavity is formed cylindrically so as to have a bottom.Through this configuration, even when a long machine screw ismisapplied, the distal end part of the machine screw is stopped by thebottom wall part, and the machine screw is therefore prevented fromprotruding from the threaded hole and contacting energized parts.Therefore, although the threaded hole of the attachment fixture isdisadvantageous in terms of material, technique, cost, and otheraspects, the threaded hole had to be formed in the deep-drawn cavity.

Furthermore, in the conventional television apparatus described inPatent Citation 1, the inside fixture must be screwed to the backsurface side of the display panel at a plurality of locations. Thus, theassembly process is made inconvenient by the need to tighten a pluralityof screws in order to fix the inside fixture. Therefore, in thetechnique of Patent Citation 1, the problem arises that multiple screwtightening steps must be added in the case that structure for attachinga wall-mount fixture is provided, and the working efficiency ofapparatus assembly is reduced.

An improved connecting structure, an electrical device and a televisionapparatus were conceived in light of the above-mentioned problem. Oneobject of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical device andtelevision apparatus capable of preventing a reduction in the workingefficiency of apparatus assembly in the case that a structure forattaching a wall-mount fixture is provided.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a connectingstructure having a simple structure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an electricaldevice includes a rear chassis, a fastening member, and an attachmentmember. The rear chassis has a through-hole. The fastening member isdisposed inside the rear chassis. The fastening member has a threadedhole. The attachment member retains the fastening member relative to therear chassis. The attachment member has a first engaging part thatengages with an internal portion of the rear chassis. The screw extendsthrough the through-hole of the rear chassis and screwed into thethreaded hole of the fastening member for attaching a wall-mount fixtureto an external portion of the rear chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a liquid crystal televisionapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the liquid crystal televisionapparatus illustrated FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystal televisionapparatus illustrated FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the liquid crystal television apparatusillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of a rear cover of theliquid crystal television apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fixing part of the liquid crystaltelevision apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an internal surface of the rear cover ofthe liquid crystal television apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along VIII-VIII line in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fastening member of the liquid crystaltelevision apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a cap of the liquid crystal televisionapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a function of the fasteningmember of the liquid crystal television apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing an external force exertedduring attachment of a wall-mount fixture in the liquid crystaltelevision apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view showing a path of staticelectricity in the fixing part of the liquid crystal televisionapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing part of a liquidcrystal television apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line XV-XV line in FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the fixing part showing a differentside from FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view showing the action of attaching the capof the liquid crystal television apparatus illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken along XVIII-XVIII line in FIG.14, showing the action of attaching the cap;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing part of a liquidcrystal television apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken along XX-XX line in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing the action of attaching the capof the liquid crystal television apparatus illustrated in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of a modified fixing part of amodified liquid crystal television apparatus;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of a television receiver inaccordance with the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the television receiverillustrated in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an attachment fixture used in thetelevision receiver illustrated in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the attachment fixture illustrated in FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the attachment fixture illustratedin FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the attachment fixture with amachine screw, with a part of the attachment fixture broken away forillustrating connection between the attachment fixture and the machinescrew;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of an attachment structure ofthe television receiver illustrated in FIG. 23, showing an arrangementof the attachment structure inside a back panel of the televisionreceiver;

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of a cap body of the attachment structureillustrated in FIG. 29, showing an internal configuration of the capbody;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of the cap body illustrated in FIG.30, with a partial cross sectional view of the cap body taken alongXXXI-XXXI line in FIG. 30; and

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of the attachment structureillustrated in FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

First Embodiment

A liquid crystal television apparatus 100 according to a firstembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 10. Theliquid crystal television apparatus 100 is an example of an “electricaldevice” and a “television apparatus” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal television apparatus 100has a frame-shaped front chassis 1, a liquid crystal module 2, and astand member 3. The front chassis 1 has a rectangular shape. The liquidcrystal module 2 is housed in the front chassis 1. The stand member 3supports the liquid crystal television apparatus 100 as a whole. Thestand member 3 is detachably provided to the liquid crystal televisionapparatus 100. The liquid crystal module 2 is an example of a “displayunit” of the present disclosure. The front chassis 1 and the standmember 3 are both made of resin.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a metal or sheet metal rear frame 5 formedsmaller than the front chassis 1 and having a rectangular shape isdisposed behind the front chassis 1 (on the arrow Y2 side). A rear cover6 made of resin is attached on a back side of the rear frame 5. The rearcover 6 has a rectangular shape as viewed from the rear, and is formedsmaller than the front chassis 1 and the rear frame 5. The rear cover 6is an example of a “rear chassis” of the present disclosure.

Four through-holes 6 a in a square arrangement are formed in the rearcover 6. Screws 80 for fixing a wall-mount fixture or fitting 90 areinserted in the through holes 6 a. Specifically, the wall-mount fixture90 can be attached to an external surface of the rear cover 6 byinserting the screws 80 in the through-holes 6 a via through-holes (notshown) in the wall-mount fixture 90 and screwing the screws 80 intofastening members 40 (see FIG. 5) of fixing parts 14 (see FIG. 5)provided inside the rear cover 6. The liquid crystal televisionapparatus 100 can be used in a wall-mounted configuration by attachingthe wall-mount fixture 90 to the rear cover 6 and fixing the wall-mountfixture 90 to an installation fitting (not shown) attached to an indoorwall (e.g., a wall surface), ceiling, or the like, for example. Thestand member 3 is removed when the liquid crystal television apparatus100 is used in the wall-mounted configuration. The liquid crystaltelevision apparatus 100 of the first embodiment is thus configured tobe usable both as installed using the stand member 3 and as wall-mountedusing the wall-mount fixture 90. The screws 80 and the fastening members40 form a “connecting structure” or a “connecting device” of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 3, a circuit board 8 for signal processing and acircuit board 7 having the function of supplying power to the apparatusas a whole are attached to a rear surface (surface on the arrow Y2 side)of the rear frame 5 in an arrangement spaced apart from each other apredetermined distance in the X direction. A speaker attachment member10 to which two speakers 11 are attached is also attached to the rearsurface of the rear frame 5. The rear cover 6 is attached to the rearsurface of the rear frame 5 by four screws 9 so as to cover the circuitboard 7, the circuit board 8, and the speaker attachment member 10 frombehind.

As shown in FIG. 4, the signal processing circuit board 8 attached tothe rear frame 5 has a receiver (tuner) 13 capable of receiving atelevision broadcast. The receiver 13 is connected to the liquid crystalmodule 2 and the speakers 11, and is configured so as to output to theliquid crystal module 2 a video signal from the television broadcastsignal (video signal and audio signal) received by an antenna 110 tocause the television broadcast to be displayed, and to output an audiosignal to the speakers 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the liquid crystal television apparatus100 in the first embodiment is provided with four fixing parts 14 forfixing the screws 80 used to attach the wall-mount fixture 90 (see FIG.2) described above. The four fixing parts 14 are provided in positionscorresponding to the four through-holes 6 a (see FIG. 2).

The four fixing parts 14 each have the same structure. As shown in FIG.5, the fixing parts 14 each have a frame-shaped wall part 20, a pair ofengaging parts 30, a fastening member 40, and a cap 50 (e.g., anattachment member or a cap shaped portion). The frame-shaped wall part20 and the engaging parts 30 are formed in a position corresponding torespective one of the through-hole 6 a. The fastening member 40 has athreaded hole 41. The cap 50 retains the fastening member 40 within theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. Consequently, the frame-shapedwall parts 20, the engaging parts 30, the fastening members 40 and thecaps 50 are each provided corresponding to the four through-holes 6 a.The engaging parts 30 are examples of “second engaging part” of thepresent disclosure. The caps 50 are examples of “attachment member” ofthe present disclosure. The configuration of the fixing parts 14 willnext be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, the frame-shaped wall part 20 is substantiallysquare-shaped and surrounds the periphery of the through-hole 6 a inplan view, and is formed so as to extend forward (in the Y1 direction inFIG. 5; toward the inside of the rear cover 6) from an internal surface6 b (e.g., internal portion) of the rear cover 6. Two pairs ofrib-shaped positioning parts 22 extending toward each other are formedintegrally with a pair of inside surfaces 21 facing each other in theup-down direction (Z direction) of the rectangular frame-shaped wallpart 20. The positioning parts 22 are configured to align the positionsof the threaded hole 41 of the fastening member 40 and the through-hole6 a of the rear cover 6 in the Z direction by making contact with thefastening member 40 on either side thereof from the top and bottom.

The engaging parts 30 are provided (as a pair thereof) on both sides (inthe X direction) outside the frame-shaped wall part 20. The pair ofengaging parts 30 is formed so that each engaging part extends forward(in the Y1 direction of FIG. 5) from the internal surface of the rearcover 6. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the engaging parts 30 in the pairthereof has a hook part 31 formed so as to protrude outward in the Xdirection in relation to the through-hole 6 a, and a reinforcing rib 32formed on the opposite side thereof (inside in the X direction) from thehook part 31. Each hook part 31 has an engaging surface 33 substantiallyparallel to the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. Each hook part31 is provided so as to engage, at the engaging surface 33, with anengaging hole 55 (described below) of the cap 50 in the Y directionorthogonal to the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. Thereinforcing ribs 32 are formed on both sides of each of the engagingparts 30 in the Z direction, extend toward the through-hole 6 a, and areformed so as to increase in thickness progressively toward the internalsurface 6 b of the rear cover 6.

As shown in HG. 9, the fastening member 40 is integrally formed as aone-piece, unitary member by folding a band-shaped piece of sheet metalto form a substantially rectangular ring shape with a hollow crosssection. The fastening member 40 includes an overlapping part 42, afacing part or receiving part 43, a side surface part or second sideplate 44, and a side surface part or first side plate 45. Theoverlapping part 42 is formed by the end parts (an outside end part orsecond end plate 42 a and an inside end part or first end plate 42 b) ofthe folded band-shaped sheet metal piece that overlap each other. Thefacing part 43 faces with the overlapping part 42. The side surface part44 forms a connection between an end portion (e.g., a second endportion) of the facing part 43 and the outside end part 42 a of theoverlapping part 42. The side surface part 45 forms a connection betweenan end portion (e.g., a first end portion) of the facing part 43 and theinside end part 42 b of the overlapping part 42. The facing part 43 isan example of a “(screw) receiving part” of the present disclosure,which receives a distal end of the screw 80 such that the screw isprevented from being screwed beyond the receiving part. The side surfacepart 44 and the outside end part 42 a form a second bent part of thepresent disclosure together with an inclined part or second foldedportion 47 a that is disposed between the end portion of the facing part43 and the outside end part 42 a. The side surface part 45 and theinside end part 42 b form a first bent part of the present disclosuretogether with an inclined part or first folded portion 47 b that isdisposed between the end portion of the facing part 43 and the insideend part 42 b.

The threaded hole 41 is formed in the inside end part 42 b of theoverlapping part 42, and a through-hole 46 is formed in the outside endpart 42 a of the overlapping part 42 concentric with the threaded hole41. The through-hole 46 has an inside diameter slightly larger than thethreaded hole diameter of the threaded hole 41. The overlapping part 42is passed through by the through-hole 46 of the outside end part 42 aand the threaded hole 41 of the inside end part 421).

The facing part 43 faces the overlapping part 42 (inside end part 42 b)across a gap equal to the height of the side surface part 45. The facingpart 43 is configured so as to be capable of stopping the distal end ofa screw.

The side surface parts 44 and 45 are each wall shaped and formed so asto stand upright from the facing part 43. A pair of inclined parts 47 aand 47 b inclined in an arc shape by bending the sheet metal is formedat a corner between the side surface part 44 and the facing part 43 andat a corner between the side surface part 45 and the facing part 43. Asshown in FIG. 9, the inclined parts 47 a and 47 b are inclined so thatthe gap therebetween increases progressively toward the internal surface6 b of the rear cover 6.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cap 50 includes, formed integrally witheach other, a substantially rectangular lid part 51 which faces theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6, a side wall part 52 whichextends toward the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 from aperipheral edge of the lid part 51, and a pair of engaging parts 53(outwardly) extending to the outside of the side wall part 52 from theperipheral edge of the lid part 51. The cap 50 is formed of anelectrically insulating resin material. The cap 50 is configured so asto be capable of attaching to and detaching from the rear cover 6 byengaging the pair of engaging parts 53 with the pair of engaging parts30 of the rear cover 6, and performs a retaining function to ensure thatthe fastening member 40 fitted in the frame-shaped wall part 20 does notdrop out.

The side wall part 52 of the cap 50 has a substantially square shapecorresponding to the frame-shaped wall part 20 in plan view, and isformed so that the side wall part 52 can fit on the external peripheryof the frame-shaped wall part 20. The side wall part 52 is provided soas to cover the area around the fastening member 40 and fittedlysurround the frame-shaped wall part 20 of the rear cover 6. The cap 50is formed in a cap shape in which the fastening member 40 on theinternal surface 6 b side of the rear cover 6 is covered by the sidewall part 52 and the lid part 51 which covers the side wall part 52.

The engaging parts 53 are provided (as a pair thereof) on both sides (inthe X direction) outside the side wall part 52 and formed so as toextend toward the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 from the lidpart 51. The engaging parts 53 include annular arm parts 54 in whichengaging holes 55 with through-holes are formed. The hook parts 31 ofthe engaging parts 30 of the rear cover 6 are inserted into the engagingholes 55, and the engaging surfaces 33 of the hook parts 31 and endsurfaces 55 a (inside surfaces of the arm parts 54) of the engagingholes 55 thereby engage with each other. In the first embodiment, aconfiguration is adopted in which the engaging holes 55 of the engagingparts 53 engage from the outsides of the hook parts 31 of the engagingparts 30 of the rear cover 6. The engaging parts 53 are not providedwith reinforcing ribs or the like, and the engaging parts 53 are formedso as to flex more easily than the engaging parts 30 of the rear cover6. The engaging holes 55 are examples of an “engaging concavity” of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a pair of flexurally deformable protrusions56 a (e.g., deformable protrusions or additional deformable protrusions)and a pair of flexurally deformable protrusions 56 b (e.g., deformableprotrusions or additional deformable protrusions) formed integrally withthe lid part 51 are formed on an internal surface of the lid part 51 ofthe cap 50. The protrusions 56 a and 56 b are disposed between the lidpart 51 and the fastening member 40 and configured so as to make contactwith the fastening member 40 and flexurally deform when the cap 50 isattached to the rear cover 6. The four protrusions 56 a and 56 b therebyfunction to urge the fastening member 40 against the internal surface 6b of the rear cover 6. The protrusions 56 a and 56 b are examples of an“urging part” of the present disclosure.

The protrusions 56 a and 56 b are provided two at a time (in pairs) onboth sides in the X direction, and each pair thereof is aligned in the Zdirection. The two protrusions 56 a on the X2 side are disposed so as tomake contact with the inclined part 47 a of the fastening member 40, andthe two protrusions 56 b on the X1 side are disposed so as to makecontact with the inclined part 47 b of the fastening member 40. Thefastening member 40 is therefore urged in the X1 direction by theprotrusions 56 a at the inclined part 47 a, and urged in the X2direction by the protrusions 56 b at the inclined part 47 b.

Through a configuration such as described above, the liquid crystaltelevision apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configuredso that a screw 80 for attaching a wall-mount fixture 90 (see FIG. 2) tothe rear cover 6 is screwed from outside the rear cover 6 into thethreaded hole 41 in the fastening member 40 via the through-hole 6 a. Inother words, the screw 80 extends through the through-hole 6 a, thethrough-hole 46 and is screwed into the threaded hole 41. The fasteningmember 40 is retained by the cap 50. The wall-mount fixture 90 canthereby be attached to an external surface (e.g., external portion) ofthe rear cover 6.

Attachment of the cap 50 will next be described with reference to FIGS.5 and 8.

In the first embodiment, the caps 50 can be attached merely by pushingthe caps 50 toward the internal surface 6 b from inside the rear cover6, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8.

More specifically, the fastening member 40 is first set in theframe-shaped wall part 20 so that the threaded hole 41 faces thethrough-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6. At this time, the fastening member40 is positioned in the Z direction by the positioning parts 22 of theframe-shaped wall part 20. The cap 50 is then moved toward the internalsurface 6 b of the rear cover 6 so that the side wall part 52 of the cap50 fits onto the external periphery of the frame-shaped wall part 20. Atthis time, the annular arm parts 54 of the engaging parts 53 flex anddeform so as to run over the outsides (outsides in the X direction) ofthe hook parts 31 of the engaging parts 30, as shown in FIG. 8.Meanwhile, since the engaging parts 30 are provided with the reinforcingribs 32, there is almost no deformation of the engaging parts 30. Whenthe arm parts 54 surmount the hook parts 31 of the engaging parts 30,the flexure of the arm parts 54 is released and the arm parts 54 restoreinward (inward in the X direction), and the hook parts 31 are therebyfitted in the engaging holes 55. The end surfaces 55 a of the engagingholes 55 and the engaging surfaces 33 of the hook parts 31 thereby makecontact with each other in the Y direction. The engaging parts 53 of thecap 50 and the engaging parts 30 of the rear cover 6 are engaged witheach other. The cap 50 is fixed to the rear cover 6.

Screw receiving by the fastening member 40 and prevention of deformationof the fastening member 40 will next be described with reference to FIG.11. For convenience, the cap 50 and frame-shaped wall part 20 areomitted and a schematic representation is shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, in such cases as when a screw S having a long axiallength is used by mistake to attach the wall-mount fixture 90, there isa risk of the screw S being screwed in too far. In this case, in thefirst embodiment, the screw tip passed through the through-hole 6 a andthreaded hole 41 of the overlapping part 42 can be stopped by makingcontact with the facing part 43 and prevented from screwing in anyfurther.

When the screw S is screwed in further in this state, the outside endpart 42 a and the inside end part 42 b of the overlapping part 42 arepulled apart by the pressure exerted on the facing part 43. In this caseas well, since the screw S is inserted in both the through-hole 6 a ofthe outside end part 42 a and the threaded hole 41 of the inside endpart 42 b, the screw S itself functions as a linchpin or wedge forfixing the outside end part 42 a and the inside end part 42 b. Thus,deformation that causes the outside end part 42 a and inside end part 42b to open is prevented from occurring.

The effects for suppressing dropout of the caps 50 will next bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, during attachment of the wall-mount fixture 90, anexternal force F1 exerted by the screw 80 in the inside (Y1 direction;forward) direction is applied to the cap 50 via the fastening member 40.An external force F2 exerted by a worker in the inside (Y1 direction;forward) direction may also be applied to a peripheral edge of thethrough-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6.

At this time, a lifting force F3, created by the external force F1, actson each of the pair of engaging parts 53 of the cap 50 in a directioninclined toward the inside in the X direction with the through-hole 6 aat the center thereof. In the first embodiment, since the engaging parts53 (engaging holes 55) of the cap 50 are engaged with the engaging parts30 (hook parts 31) of the rear cover 6 from the outside in the Xdirection, the force F3 exerted during attachment of the wall-mountfixture 90 acts to more securely engage the engaging parts 53 and theengaging parts 30. Since the engaging parts 30 of the rear cover 6 arereinforced by the reinforcing ribs 32 and do not readily flex, theengaging parts 30 of the rear cover 6 are kept from flexing anddisengaging even when the force F3 occurs.

When the external force F2 is applied to the peripheral edge of thethrough-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6, the rear cover 6 may curveslightly inward about the through-hole 6 a, as indicated by the dashedline. In this case as well, the pair of engaging parts 30 of the rearcover 6 is each displaced outward in the X direction, and the curving ofthe rear cover 6 acts to more securely engage the engaging parts 53 andthe engaging parts 30.

As a result of the effects described above, even the simple attachmentstructure for engaging the cap 50 with the rear cover 6 in the firstembodiment is capable of preventing the cap 50 and the fastening member40 from dropping out during attachment of the wall-mount fixture 90.

Suppression of static electricity entry by the cap 50 will next bedescried with reference to FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, since the metal fastening member 40 is retained onthe inside of the through-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6, it is possiblefor the fastening member 40 to become charged by static electricitypenetrating from outside via the through-hole 6 a. In the firstembodiment, since the fastening member 40 is covered by the electricallyinsulating resin cap 50 on the internal surface 6 b side of the rearcover 6, static electricity is blocked by the cap 50. It is thereforepossible to suppress the effect of static electricity on the circuitboard 7 and circuit board 8 inside the rear cover 6. The spatialdistance D between the fastening member 40 charged with staticelectricity and the circuit board 7 or 8 corresponds to the totaldistance of the path to the circuit board 7 or 8 passing theframe-shaped wall part 20 of the rear cover 6, the side wall part 52 ofthe cap 50 in which the frame-shaped wall part 20 is fitted, and the endpart of the side wall part 52 on the internal surface 6 b side of therear cover 6. The effects of static electricity on the circuit board 7or 8 are therefore more effectively suppressed as a result of the largespatial distance D.

In the first embodiment, the fastening member 40 having the threadedhole 41, and the cap 50 having the engaging parts 53 for engaging withthe internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 to retain the fasteningmember 40 are provided. The screw 80 for attaching the wall-mountfixture 90 to the rear cover 6 is screwed from outside the rear cover 6into the threaded hole 41 in the fastening member 40 via thethrough-hole 6 a. The fastening member 40 is retained by the cap 50. Thewall-mount fixture 90 can thereby be attached to an external surface ofthe rear cover 6, as described above. The fastening member 40 canthereby be attached to the rear cover 6 merely by engaging the engagingparts 53 of the cap 50 with the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover6. A reduction in the working efficiency of assembly of the liquidcrystal television apparatus 100 can thereby be prevented even in thecase that a structure (fixing parts 14) for attaching the wall-mountfixture 90 is provided.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the engaging parts 30 forengaging with the engaging parts 53 of the cap 50 is provided on theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. Through this configuration,the cap 50 can easily be attached to the internal surface 6 b of therear cover 6 merely by engaging the engaging parts 53 of the cap 50 andthe engaging parts 30 on the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6with each other. Thus, a reduction in the working efficiency of assemblyof the liquid crystal television apparatus 100 can easily be prevented.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the positioning parts 22for aligning the positions of the threaded hole 41 of the fasteningmember 40 and the through-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6 are provided onthe internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. Through thisconfiguration, the positions of the fastening member 40 and thethrough-hole 6 a in the rear cover 6 can be precisely aligned even in asimple structure in which the cap 50 is engaged with the rear cover 6 toretain the fastening member 40.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the frame-shaped wall part20 which has the positioning parts 22 and surrounds the externalperiphery of the fastening member 40 is provided on the internal surface6 b of the rear cover 6. Through this configuration, the fasteningmember 40 can be retained on the rear cover 6 side as well by theframe-shaped wall part 20. Since the mechanical strength of thepositioning parts 22 can be enhanced by the frame-shaped wall part 20,misalignment of the fastening member 40 can be suppressed even in suchcases as when the fastening member 40 is subjected to external forcesdue to screw tightening or other operations during attachment of thewall-mount fixture 90.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the side wall part 52 whichsurrounds the frame-shaped wall part 20 and is capable of fitting withthe frame-shaped wall part 20 is formed in the cap 50. Through thisconfiguration, attachment of the cap 50 to the rear cover 6 can bestrengthened by the fitting of the side wall part 52 of the cap 50 ontothe external periphery of the frame-shaped wall part 20 of the rearcover 6. Therefore, despite the fact that the structure allows the cap50 to easily be engaged with the rear cover 6, the cap 50 does notreadily detach, and the fastening member 40 can therefore be morereliably retained.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the fastening member 40 isprovided with a facing part 43 capable of stopping a distal end of thescrew 80. Through this configuration, the distal end of the screw 80 canbe stopped by the facing part 43 of the fastening member 40 when thewall-mount fixture 90 is mounted in such cases as when the screw 80 forattaching the wall-mount fixture 90 is screwed in too far or a longscrew S (see FIG. 11) is used. The work of attaching the wall-mountfixture 90 to the electrical device is usually performed by the user, inwhich case the screw 80 may be screwed in too far when the usermistakenly uses an excessively long screw. Even in such a case, it ispossible to prevent the distal end of the screw 80 (S) for attaching thewall-mount fixture 90 from protruding into the rear cover 6, and toprevent the cap 50 from dropping out or the screw 80 (S) from contactingan internal circuit board 7, 8 or the like.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the fastening member 40 isformed so as to include the overlapping part 42 formed by folding asheet-shaped metal member and superposing both ends thereof on eachother, and the facing part 43 facing the overlapping part 42. Thethreaded hole 41 of the fastening member 40 is provided so as to passthrough the overlapping part 42, and the facing part 43 configured to becapable of receiving the screw. Through this configuration, thewall-mount fixture attaching screw 80 (S) screwed into the threaded hole41 of the overlapping part 42 can be made to function as a linchpin forconnecting the ends (overlapping part 42) of the sheet-shaped fasteningmember 40. In this case, when the distal end of the screw 80 (S) that isscrewed in too far presses on the facing screw receiving part of thefacing part 43, the ends (overlapping part 42) of the fastening member40 are pulled in the direction of coming apart from each other, and thepressure of the distal end of the screw 80 (S) acts on the screw 80 (S)itself at the overlapping part 42. As a result, since the screw 80 (S)becomes difficult to turn when screwed in too far, the screw 80 (S) isprevented from screwing in too far. Deformation of the fastening member40 is also suppressed by the connection formed by the overlapping part42.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the protrusions 56 a and 56b for urging the fastening member 40 toward the internal surface 6 b ofthe rear cover 6 are formed in the cap 50. Through this configuration,the fastening member 40 is retained in a state of being pressed towardthe internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 by the protrusions 56 a and56 b even when the wall-mount fixture 90 is not attached (the fasteningmember 40 is not secured by a screw). Minute gaps that cause thefastening member 40 to rattle are thereby prevented from forming.Therefore, even in the case that the electrical device is provided withspeakers 11 or other vibration sources, the fastening member 40 can beprevented from making a so-called buzzing noise from the sound pressure(vibration) of the speakers 11.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the protrusions 56 a and 56b are configured so as to be flexurally deformable and disposed betweenthe cap 50 and the fastening member 40, and are formed integrally withthe cap 50. Through this configuration, the fastening member 40 caneasily be urged by the protrusions 56 a and 56 b between the cap 50 andthe fastening member 40, merely by causing the fastening member 40 to beretained by attaching the cap 50 to the rear cover 6.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the pair of inclined parts47 a and 47 b inclined on that a gap therebetween enlarges toward theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 is formed in the fasteningmember 40. The pair of the flexurally deformable protrusions 56 a and 56b is provided so as to make respective contact with the pair of inclinedparts 47 a and 47 b. Through this configuration, not only can theprotrusions 56 a and 56 b urge the fastening member 40 toward theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 5, but the protrusions 56 a and56 b can also exert a force toward the space between the pair ofinclined parts 47 a and 47 b. Thus, it is possible to restrictmisalignment of the fastening member 40 in the X direction along theinternal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the fastening member 40made of metal is covered by the cap 50 formed of an electricallyinsulating resin material. Through this configuration, the fasteningmember 40 is covered by the electrically insulating cap 50 while a metalfastening member is used. Thus, even when the fastening member becomescharged by static electricity penetrating through the through-hole 6 aof the rear cover 6, the static electricity that penetrates via thethrough-hole 6 a of the rear cover 6 is blocked by the cap 50 so as tobe prevented from affecting the circuit boards 7, 8 and other componentsinside the rear cover 6.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the cap 50 is configuredhaving a cap shape including the side wall part 52 which surrounds thefastening member 40 from the sides thereof, and the lid part 51 forcovering the side wall part 52. Through this configuration, thefastening member 40 can be reliably covered by the cap-shaped cap 50,and the fastening member 40 can be stably retained.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the hook parts 31protruding to the outside (outside in the X direction) with respect tothe through-hole 6 a are formed in the engaging parts 30 of the rearcover 6. The engaging holes 55 are formed in the engaging parts 53 ofthe cap 50. The engaging holes 55 are configured to be able to engagewith the hook parts 31 from the outsides of the hook parts 31. Duringscrew tightening in this configuration, an external force acts on thecap 50 in the advancing direction of the screw 80 (S) used to attach thewall-mount fixture 90, via the through-hole 6 a. A force lifting at anangle toward the inside (in the direction approaching the through-hole 6a) in relation to the through-hole 6 a therefore acts on the engagingparts 53 (engaging holes 55) of the cap 50. The rear cover 6 is alsoflexed by the external force so as to warp toward the inside thereof. Aforce directed outward from the through-hole 6 a therefore acts on thehook parts 31. Therefore, by causing the hook parts 31 to protrudeoutward in relation to the through-hole 6 a and causing the engagingholes 55 of the cap 50 to engage from the outside of the hook parts 31,when an external force is applied during screw tightening, the engagingholes 55 of the cap 50 is raised inward toward the hook parts 31. Thehook parts 31 are subjected to a force directed outward (toward theengaging holes 55 side) by the flexing (inward warping) of the rearcover 6. The external force exerted during screw tightening cantherefore be applied so that the engaging holes 55 and the hook parts 31engage more securely. Through this configuration, the cap 50 can be keptfrom disengaging during screw tightening, as shown in FIG. 12.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the engaging parts 53 whichinclude the engaging holes 55 are formed so as to flex more readily than(or to have higher flexibility than) the engaging parts 30 which includethe hook parts 31. The hook parts 31 and the engaging holes 55 areengaged by flexing the engaging parts 53. When the engaging parts 53 arethus formed so as to flex more easily than the engaging parts 30, anexternal force directed inward with respect to the through-hole 6 a actson the engaging parts 53 during screw tightening. Through thisconfiguration, the engaging parts 53 easily flex to the inside (towardthe hook parts 31) during screw tightening, as shown in FIG. 12,enabling the hook parts 31 and the engaging holes 55 to be more securelyengaged. Since the engaging parts 30 can be engaged with the engagingparts 53 without flexing, the reinforcing ribs 32 can be provided to theengaging parts 30. Thus, the mechanical strength of the engaging parts30 can be increased. When the mechanical strength of the engaging parts30 is increased in this manner, engagement between the engaging parts 53and the engaging parts 30 can be maintained with almost no flexure ofthe engaging parts 30 even in cases in which the rear cover 6 is flexed(warped inward) by the external force F2 during screw tightening.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the lid part 51 which facesthe internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6, and the side wall part 52which extends toward the internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6 from aperipheral edge of the lid part 51 are formed in the cap 50. Theengaging parts 53 extend to the outside from the peripheral edge of thelid part 51, and are configured so that the engaging holes 55 engagewith the hook parts 31 on the outside of the side wall part 52. Throughthis configuration, the mechanical strength of the cap 50 can beenhanced by the lid part 51 and the side wall part 52. Since the cap 50can thereby be made less readily deformable by external force, thefastening member 40 can be more reliably retained by the cap 50. Sincethe engaging parts 53 are configured so that the engaging holes 55engage with the hook parts 31 on the outside of the side wall part 52,the engaging parts 53 can easily be made more flexible while themechanical strength of the cap 50 itself is enhanced by the lid part 51and the side wall part 52.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 18, a television apparatus 200 inaccordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view ofthe similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts ofthe second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may,be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The television apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure will next be described with reference to FIGS. 14through 18. With the first embodiment, each fixing part 14 is configuredso that the cap 50 (engaging parts 53) and the rear cover 6 (engagingparts 30) are engaged by flexing the engaging parts 53 (arm parts 54) ofthe cap 50. On the other hand, the second embodiment is an example inwhich a fixing part 114 is configured so that a cap 150 and a rear cover106 are engaged by sliding the cap 150 along an internal surface 106 bof the rear cover 106. Aspects of the second embodiment other than thefixing part 114 are the same as in the first embodiment, and no furtherdescription will be given of aspects other than the fixing part 114.

As shown in FIG. 14, the fixing part 114 of the television apparatus 200according to the second embodiment includes a pair of engaging parts130, the fastening member 40, a cap 150 for retaining the fasteningmember 40, and the frame-shaped wall part 20 formed in a positioncorresponding to a through-hole 106 a in the internal surface 106 b ofthe rear cover 106. In the second embodiment, a restricting part 160(see FIG. 16) for restricting the movement of the cap 150, and aninclined part 170 are formed on the internal surface 106 b of the rearcover 106. The frame-shaped wall part 20 and the fastening member 40 areconfigured the same as in the first embodiment. The rear cover 106 andthe cap 150 are examples of “rear chassis” and “attachment member”,respectively, of the present disclosure. The engaging parts 130 areexamples of a “second engaging part” and of a “second engaging piece” ofthe present disclosure.

The engaging parts 130 are provided as a pair thereof on both sides ofthe frame-shaped wall part 20 in the X direction thereof. As shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the engaging parts 130 includes engaging pieces whichintegrally include first portions 131, second portions 132 and thirdportions 133. The first portions 131 stand toward the inside (in the Y1direction) from the internal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106. Thesecond portions 132 extend toward the frame-shaped wall part 20 alongthe internal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106 from the apexes of thefirst portions 131. The third portions 133 extend toward the internalsurface 106 b from the ends of the second portions 132 on theframe-shaped wall part 20 side thereof. The engaging parts 130 havegroove-shaped parts 134 surrounded by the internal surfaces of the firstportions 131, the second portions 132, and the third portions 133 asviewed from the Z1 side. Wall parts 135 reinforced by reinforcing ribs136 are formed on the Z2 sides of the engaging parts 130. The endportions on the Z2 side of the groove-shaped parts 134 are thereforeblocked by the internal surfaces of the wall parts 135. Threestripe-shaped reinforcing ribs 137 are also formed on external surfacesof the first portions 131 and second portions 132, and the engagingparts 130 are thus reinforced.

The cap 150 according to the second embodiment has a lid part 151, apair of side wall parts 152 a on the longitudinal sides thereof, and apair of side wall parts 152 b on the lateral sides thereof, formedintegrally with each other. The cap 150 is formed in a rectangular capshape. Engaging parts 153 are integrally formed on the Z1 sides of thepair of side wall pads 152 a on the longitudinal sides. As shown in FIG.18, the longitudinal dimension (length L1) of the cap 150 is larger thanthe outside dimension (length L2) of the substantially squareframe-shaped wall pad 20. The cap 150 is therefore able to slide in thelongitudinal direction (Z direction) when fitted on the outside of theframe-shaped wall part 20. The engaging parts 153 are examples of a“first engaging part” and a “first engaging piece” of the presentdisclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the engaging parts 153 include engagingpieces formed to correspond with the groove-shaped parts 134 of theengaging parts 130. Specifically, each of the engaging pads 153 includesa first portion 154, a second portion 155, and a wall-shaped thirdportion 156. The first portion 154, the second portion 155, and thewall-shaped third portion 156 are formed integrally with each other. Thefirst portions 154 extend toward the outside (toward the engaging parts130) in the X direction along the internal surface 106 b of the rearcover 106 from bottom edges of the side wall parts 152 a. The secondportions 155 stand from outside (engaging part 130 side) end parts ofthe first portions 154. The wall-shaped third portions 156 are providedto Z1-side end pads. The engaging parts 153 are formed so as to engagewith the engaging parts 130 of the rear cover 106 in the Y directionperpendicular to the internal surface 106 b by the insertion of thefirst portions 154 and the second portions 155 into the groove-shapedparts 134 of the engaging parts 130.

In the cap 150 according to the second embodiment, a pair of protrusions157 for urging the fastening member 40 toward the rear cover 106 in thestate in which the engaging parts 153 and the engaging parts 130 areengaged is formed on the inside of the lid part 151, the same as in thecap 50 of the first embodiment. The protrusions 157 are examples of an“urging part” of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 16, the restricting part 160 is formed on the Z2 sideof the frame-shaped wall part 20. The restricting part 160 includes alocking surface 161 which stands substantially perpendicular to theinternal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106, and an inclined surface162 inclined so as to approach the internal surface 106 b progressivelyfrom the locking surface 161 to the frame-shaped wall part 20. Thelocking surface 161 is configured so as to make contact with theinternal surface of a side wall part 152 b on the lateral side of thecap 150 in the state in which the engaging parts 153 and the engagingparts 130 are engaged with each other (see FIG. 18).

As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined part 170 is linearly formed so as toextend in the Z1 direction from the surface of the frame-shaped wallpart 20 on the Z1 side thereof. The inclined part 170 inclines so as toapproach the internal surface 106 b progressively from the frame-shapedwatt part 20. The inclined part 170 is formed so as to be flexurallydeformed (see FIG. 18) toward the rear cover 106 by an end surface ofthe side wall part 152 b on the lateral side of the cap 150 when theengaging parts 153 and the engaging parts 130 are engaged. Theinclination of the inclined part 170 is exaggerated in FIG. 18 to aidunderstanding.

The method for attaching the cap 150 of the television apparatus 200according to the second embodiment will next be described with referenceto FIGS. 14, 15, 17, and 18.

The fastening member 40 is first inserted into the frame-shaped wallpart 20 as shown in FIG. 14. The cap 150 is then fitted on the outsideof the frame-shaped wall part 20 in a state in which the position of thecap 150 is shifted in the Z1 direction so that no contact occurs betweenthe engaging parts 153 and the engaging parts 130 of the rear cover 106,as shown in FIG. 17. The cap 150 is then slid in the Z2 direction alongthe internal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106, whereupon the firstportions 154 and second portions 155 of the engaging parts 153 areinserted into the groove-shaped parts 134 (see FIG. 15) of the engagingparts 130. The first portions 154 and second portions 155 of theengaging parts 153, and the second portions 132 and third portions 133of the engaging parts 130 thereby engage in the Y direction orthogonalto the internal surface 106 b as shown in FIG. 15. By the sliding of thecap 150 in the Z2 direction, the side wall part 152 b of the cap 150 onthe Z1 side thereof moves while running over the inclined part 170, andthe side wall part 152 b on the Z2 side moves while running over theinclined surface 162 of the restricting part 160, as shown in FIG. 18.

The cap 150 is moved until the third portions 156 of the engaging parts153 make contact with end parts of the engaging parts 130 on the Z1 sidethereof (see FIG. 17). The side wall part 152 b of the cap 150 on the Z2side thereof surmounts the inclined surface 162 of the restricting part160 and makes contact with the locking surface 161. As a result, the cap150 is restricted from sliding in the opposite direction (Z1 direction)by the restricting part 160. In this state, the side wall part 152 b ofthe cap 150 on the Z1 side thereof is at the position (in the vicinityof the frame-shaped wall part 20) where the inclined part 170 protrudesfurthest from the internal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106. Theinclined part 170 is pressed toward the rear cover 106 by the endsurface of the side wall part 152 b and flexurally deformed toward therear cover 106. The cap 150 and the internal surface 106 b of the rearcover 106 are thereby placed adjacent to each other with no gaptherebetween. The cap 150 is prevented from rattling or buzzing. Asshown in FIG. 15, the pair of protrusions 157 inside the cap 150 urgesthe inclined parts 47 a and 47 b of the fastening member 40 to align thepositions of the through-hole 106 a and the fastening member 40 in the Xdirection. The fastening member 40 is placed in close contact with theinternal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106 by the urging force of theprotrusions 157.

In the second embodiment, as described above, the fastening member 40and the cap 150 which has the engaging parts 153 for engaging with theinternal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106 are provided. The fasteningmember 40 can thereby be attached to the rear cover 106 merely byengaging the engaging parts 153 of the cap 150 with the internal surface106 b of the rear cover 106. A reduction in the working efficiency ofassembly of the liquid crystal television apparatus 200 can thereby beprevented even in the case that a structure (fixing part 114) forattaching the wall-mount fixture 90 (see FIG. 2) is provided.

In the second embodiment, as described above, the engaging parts 153(first portions 154 and second portions 155) protruding in the Xdirection along the internal surface 106 b of the rear cover 106 areprovided to the cap 150. The engaging parts 130 (first portions 131,second portions 132, and third portions 133) standing from the internalsurface 106 b of the rear cover 106 and extending in the X directionalong the internal surface 106 b are formed on the rear cover 106.Moving the cap 150 in the Z2 direction along the internal surface 106 bof the rear cover 106 causes the engaging parts 153 to engage with theengaging parts 130 in the Y direction orthogonal to the internal surface106 b of the rear cover 106. Through this configuration, the engagingparts 153 and the engaging parts 130 can be engaged in the Y directionby sliding the cap 150 along the internal surface 106 b. Therefore,there is no need to utilize flexural deformation to engage the engagingparts 153 and the engaging parts 130. Since the mechanical strength ofthe engaging parts 153 and engaging parts 130 can therefore beincreased, the engagement of the engaging parts 153 and the engagingparts 130 can easily be strengthened against the effects of externalforce (external force in the Y1 direction orthogonal to the internalsurface 106 b of the rear cover 106) during screw tightening.

In the second embodiment, as described above, the rear cover 106 has therestricting part 160 formed thereon for restricting movement of the cap150 in the Z1 direction along the internal surface 106 b of the rearcover 106 when the engaging parts 153 and the engaging parts 130 areengaged. Since sliding of the cap 150 in the direction of releasing theengagement is restricted by the restricting part 160, engagement betweenthe engaging parts 153 and the engaging parts 130 can be easily andreliably maintained.

The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of thefirst embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 19 to 21, a television apparatus 300 inaccordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of thesimilarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of thethird embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodimentwill be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the thirdembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

The television apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure will next be described with reference to FIGS. 19through 21. With the second embodiment, each fixing part 114 isconfigured so that the cap 150 and the rear cover 106 are engaged bysliding the cap 150 in the Z direction along the internal surface 106 bof the rear cover 106. On the other hand, the third embodiment is anexample in which a fixing part 214 is configured so that a cap 250 and arear cover 206 are engaged by rotating the cap 150 in the plane of aninternal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206. Aspects of the thirdembodiment other than the fixing part 214 are the same as in the firstembodiment, and no further description will be given of aspects otherthan the fixing part 214.

As shown in FIG. 19, the fixing part 214 of the television apparatus 300according to the third embodiment includes a pair of engaging parts 230a and 230 b, the fastening member 40, a cap 250 for retaining thefastening member 40, and a frame-shaped wall part 220 formed in aposition corresponding to the through-hole 6 a in the internal surface206 b of the rear cover 206. The fastening member 40 is configured thesame as in the first embodiment. The rear cover 206 and the cap 250 areexamples of a “rear chassis” and an “attachment member,” respectively,of the present disclosure. The engaging parts 230 a and 230 b areexamples of a “second engaging part” and of a “second engaging piece” ofthe present disclosure.

In the third embodiment, the frame-shaped wall part 220 includes a pairof linear parts 221 and a pair of arc-shaped parts 222, and is formedintegrally with the rear cover 206 so as to surround the through-hole 6a. The frame-shaped wall part 220 of the third embodiment is thereforeformed in an elongated, substantially cylindrical shape. Rib-shapedpositioning parts 223 are formed integrally on the inside of the pair oflinear parts 221 and the pair of arc-shaped parts 222. The linear parts221 in the pair thereof are disposed facing each other in the Xdirection. The arc-shaped parts 222 in the pair thereof are disposedfacing each other in the Z direction.

The engaging parts 230 a and 230 b in the pair thereof are provided onthe outsides of the frame-shaped wall part 220 in the X direction. Asshown in FIG. 20, the engaging parts 230 a and 230 b have engagingpieces which integrally include first portions 231 and second portions232, respectively. The first portions 231 stand toward the inside (inthe Y1 direction) from the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206.The second portions 232 extend toward the frame-shaped wall part 220along the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206 from the apexesof the first portions 231. Groove-shaped parts 233 surrounded by thefirst portions 231, the second portions 232, and the internal surface206 b of the rear cover 206 are thereby formed in each of the engagingparts 230 a and 230 b. Rib-shaped projections 234 which protrude towardthe rear cover 206 are formed on internal surfaces (surfaces on theinternal surface 206 b side) of the second portions 232 so as to extendin the Z direction. Three stripe-shaped reinforcing ribs 235 are alsoformed on external surfaces of the first portions 231 and secondportions 232. The engaging parts 230 a (230 b) are thus reinforced.

As shown in FIG. 19, a wall part 237 is formed at an end part on the Z2side of the engaging part 230 b on the X1 side. The groove-shaped part233 of the engaging part 230 b is blocked by the end part on the Z2side. Meanwhile, wall parts are not formed at the end part of theengaging part 230 b on the side or at both end parts in the Z directionof the engaging part 230 a on the X2 side. Consequently, thegroove-shaped part 233 of the engaging part 230 b penetrates through inonly the Z1 direction. The groove-shaped part 233 of the engaging part230 a penetrates through on both sides in the Z direction.

The cap 250 according to the third embodiment is formed in a round capshape having a lid part 251 circular in plan view and a circumferential(cylindrical) side wall part 252 formed integrally with each other. Theside wall part 252 extends toward the rear cover 206 from the peripheraledge of the lid part 251. Two engaging parts 253 a and 253 h are formedintegrally with the side wall part 252. The size of the inside diameterof the side wall part 252 of the cap 250 corresponds to the outsidediameter of a circle connecting the pair of arc-shaped parts 222 of theframe-shaped wall part 220. The cap 250 is configured so as to berotatable (slidable) along the arc-shaped parts 222 in the plane alongthe internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206 in the state in whichthe cap 250 is fitted on the outside of the frame-shaped wall part 220.The engaging parts 253 a and 253 b are configured such that rotating thecap 250 causes the engaging parts 253 a and 253 b to be inserted in thegroove-shaped parts 233 of the engaging part 230 a and the engaging part230 b, respectively, thereby engaging with the engaging part 230 a andengaging part 230 b. The engaging parts 253 a and 253B are examples of a“first engaging part” and a “first engaging piece,” respectively, of thepresent disclosure.

The engaging part 253 a has an engaging piece which integrally includesa hook-shaped restricting part 255 and a plate-shaped piece 254. Theplate-shaped piece 254 extends to the outside of the side wall part 252along the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206. The plate-shapedpiece 254 is formed so as to extend along an external periphery of thecircumferential side wall part 252. The plate-shaped piece 254 is formedat a (predetermined height on the external periphery of the side wallpart 252 so as to be able to make contact with the projection 234 of theengaging part 230 a disposed on the X2 side. The plate-shaped piece 254is configured so as to flexurally deform the projection 234 when theengaging part 253 a and the engaging part 230 a are engaged.

The restricting part 255 is formed on an arm part 256 which extendsalong the external periphery of the circumferential side wall part 252from an end part of the plate-shaped piece 254. The restricting part 255has a hook shape protruding to the opposite side (Y1 direction) from theinternal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206, and is formed so as toengage (see FIG. 21) with an end part on the Z1 side of the engagingpart 230 b disposed on the X2 side.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the engaging part 253 b is an engagingpiece with which only the plate-shaped piece 254 is formed integrally.An arm part 256 and a restricting part 255 are not formed on theplate-shaped piece 254 of the engaging part 253 b. The plate-shapedpiece 254 of the engaging part 253 b is configured so as to make contactwith the projection 234 of the engaging part 230 b disposed on the X1side, and to make contact with the wall part 237 of the engaging part230 b at an end part 254 a thereof.

As shown in FIG. 20, a protrusion 257 is formed on an internal surfaceof the lid part 251 to urge the fastening member 40 toward the rearcover 206 in the state in which the engaging parts 253 a and 253 b andthe engaging parts 230 a and 230 b are respectively engaged. Theprotrusion 257 is an example of an “urging part” of the presentdisclosure.

The method for attaching the cap 250 of the television apparatus 300according to the third embodiment will next be described with referenceto FIGS. 19 through 21.

The fastening member 40 is first inserted into the frame-shaped wallpart 220 as shown in FIG. 19. The cap 250 is then fitted on the outsideof the frame shaped wall part 220 while the orientation of the cap 250is adjusted so that the engaging part 253 a is disposed on the Z2 sideof the frame-shaped wall part 220 and the engaging part 253 b isdisposed on the Z1 side of the frame-shaped wall part 220, as shown inFIG. 21. The cap 250 is then rotated in the R1 direction in the plane ofthe internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206. The engaging part 253a is thereby inserted from the Z2 side into the groove-shaped part 233of the engaging part 230 a on the X2 side, and the engaging part 253 bis inserted from the Z1 side into the groove-shaped part 233 of theengaging part 230 b on the X1 side. In conjunction with the rotation ofthe cap 250 at this time, the restricting part 255 of the engaging part253 a is inserted into the groove-shaped part 233 by causing the armpart 256 to flex toward the rear cover 206.

When the cap 250 is rotated until the restricting part 255 of theengaging part 253 a surmounts the end part of the engaging part 230 a onthe Z1 side thereof (the restricting part 255 leaves the groove-shapedpart 233), the flexure of the arm part 256 is released and the arm part256 restores to the original position thereof. The restricting part 255is thereby engaged with the end part of the engaging part 230 a on theZ1 side thereof, and rotation of the cap 250 in the R2 direction isrestricted. Since the end part 254 a of the engaging part 253 b is incontact with the wall part 237 on the Z2 side of the engaging part 230 bat this time, the cap 250 is restricted from rotating further in the R1direction.

The plate-shaped piece 254 of the engaging part 253 a, and theprojection 234 of the engaging part 230 a thereby make contact. Theengaging part 253 a and the engaging part 230 a engage in the Ydirection orthogonal to the internal surface 106 b, as shown in FIG. 20.In the same manner, the plate-shaped piece 254 of the engaging part 253b, and the projection 234 of the engaging part 230 b make contact. Theengaging part 253 b and the engaging part 230 b engage in the Ydirection orthogonal to the internal surface 106 b. In this engagedstate, the respective projections 234 of the engaging part 230 a and theengaging part 230 b are flexurally deformed in the Y1 direction by thepressure of the plate-shaped pieces 254. The cap 250 and the rear cover206 are thereby placed adjacent to each other with no gap therebetween.The cap 250 is prevented from rattling or buzzing. Inside the cap 250,the protrusion 257 urges the fastening member 40 so that the fasteningmember 40 is placed in close contact with the internal surface 206 b ofthe rear cover 206.

In the third embodiment, as described above, the fastening member 40 andthe cap 250 which has the engaging parts 253 a and 253 b for engagingwith the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206 are provided. Thefastening member 40 can thereby be attached to the rear cover 206 merelyby engaging the engaging parts 253 a and 253 b of the cap 250 with theinternal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206. A reduction in the workingefficiency of assembly of the liquid crystal television apparatus 300can thereby be prevented in the case that a structure (fixing part 214)for attaching the wall-mount fixture 90 (see FIG. 2) is provided.

In the third embodiment, as described above, the engaging parts 253 aand 253 b including plate-shaped pieces 254 protruding along theinternal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206 are provided to the cap250. The engaging parts 230 a and 230 b (first portions 231 and secondportions 232) standing from the internal surface 206 b attic rear cover206 and extending in the X direction along the internal surface 206 bare formed on the rear cover 206. Moving (rotating) the cap 250 in thedirection along the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206 causesthe engaging part 253 a (253 b) to engage with the engaging part 230 a(230 b) in the Y direction orthogonal to the internal surface 206 b ofthe rear cover 206. The engaging part 253 a (253 b) and the engagingpart 230 a (230 b) can be engaged in the Y direction by rotating the cap250 in the plane of the internal surface 206 b of the rear cover 206.Therefore, there is no need to utilize flexural deformation to engagethe engaging part 253 a (253 b) and the engaging part 230 a (230 b).Since the mechanical strength of the engaging part 253 a (253 h) andengaging part 230 a (230 b) can therefore be increased, the engagementof the engaging part 253 a (253 b) and the engaging part 230 a (230 b)can easily be strengthened against the effects of external force(external force in the Y1 direction orthogonal to the internal surface206 b of the rear cover 206) during screw tightening.

In the third embodiment, as described above, the cap 250 has therestricting part 255 formed thereon for restricting movement of the cap250 in the R2 direction in the plane of the internal surface 206 b ofthe rear cover 206 when the engaging part 253 a (253 b) and the engagingpart 230 a (230 h) are engaged. Since rotation of the cap 250 in the R2direction of releasing the engagement is restricted by the restrictingpart 255, engagement between the engaging parts 253 a, 253 b and theengaging parts 230 a, 230 b can be easily and reliably maintained.

The other effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of thesecond embodiment.

The embodiments described herein are in all respects merely examples,and shall not be construed as limiting the present invention. The scopeof the present invention is defined by the claims and not theembodiments described above, and includes all equivalents to the claimsand modifications within the intended scope thereof.

For example, an application of the present disclosure to a liquidcrystal television apparatus is described as an example of thetelevision apparatus and electronic device in the first through thirdembodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to thisapplication. For example, the present disclosure can also be applied toa personal computer monitor or other display apparatus, or to atelevision apparatus other than a liquid crystal television apparatus,for example. The present disclosure is also applicable to a photo frame,speaker, or other electronic device.

The first embodiment describes an example in which the engaging parts 53(engaging holes 55) of the cap 50 are engaged from the outside of theengaging parts 30 (hook parts 31) of the rear cover 6. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited to this configuration. In the presentdisclosure, a configuration can be adopted in which engaging parts 353of a cap 350 are engaged from the insides (insides in the X direction)of engaging parts 330 of the rear cover 6, as shown in FIG. 22. In afixing part 314 according to this modification, the cap 350 integrallyincludes a pair of engaging parts 353 having hook parts 355 whichprotrude outward in the X direction from side wall parts 352. The cap350 and the engaging parts 353 are examples of an “attachment member”and a “first engaging part” of the present disclosure. In the rear cover6, the engaging parts 330 in the pair thereof are disposed on theoutside of the pair of engaging parts 353 in the X direction thereof.The engaging parts 330 are examples of a “second engaging part” of thepresent disclosure. Each engaging part 330 integrally includes a hookpart 331 and a reinforcing rib 332. The hook part 331 protrudes inwardin the X direction. The reinforcing rib 332 extends outward in the Xdirection and inclined so as to increase in width progressively towardthe internal surface 6 b of the rear cover 6. In this modification, whenthe cap 350 is fitted on the outside of the frame-shaped wall part 20,the hook parts 355 in the pair thereof advance while flexing therespective engaging parts 330 (hook parts 331) of the pair thereofoutward in the X direction. As the apexes of the hook parts 355 surmountthe apexes of the hook parts 331, the engaging parts 353 (hook parts355) and the engaging parts 330 (hook parts 331) engage in the Ydirection.

This configuration will be further described in detail later throughreference to FIGS. 23 to 32 as a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

The first embodiment describes an example in which engaging holes 55formed by through-holes are formed in the cap 50 as an example of theengaging concavity of the present disclosure. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited to this configuration. The engaging concavityof the present disclosure can also be a concavity that does notpenetrate completely through, insofar as the concavity is capable ofengaging with a hook part.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which thefastening member 40 used is formed by folding sheet metal. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited to this configuration. A common nut,for example, or other fastening member can also be used.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which thefastening member 40 used has an inclined surface formed therein byfolding sheet metal, and the inclined surfaces are urged by theprotrusion in the cap. The present disclosure is not limited to thisconfiguration. An inclined surface can not necessarily be provided tothe fastening member in the present disclosure. A protrusion is also notnecessarily provided to the cap. In the case that a protrusion isprovided to the cap, any portion of the fastening member can be urged.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which the rearcover 6 for partially covering the back of the liquid crystal televisionapparatus is used as an example of a “rear chassis” of the presentdisclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to thisconfiguration. The rear cover can also cover the entire back of thetelevision apparatus in the present disclosure.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which thepositioning part is formed integrally with the frame-shaped wall part ofthe rear cover 6. However, the present disclosure is not limited to thisconfiguration. A positioning part can be provided separately from theframe-shaped wall part in the present disclosure, or a positioning partcan not be provided.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which theframe-shaped wall part is formed integrally with the rear cover 6.However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Aframe-shaped wall part is not necessarily provided to the rear cover 6.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which the capincluding the lid part, the side wall parts, and the engaging parts(first engaging parts) formed integrally therewith is used as an exampleof an “attachment member” of the present disclosure. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example,the attachment member used can include only a lid part and a firstengaging part, and not side wall parts.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which the capused as an example of an “attachment member” of the present disclosureis one in which the side wall parts of the cap are formed so as tosurround the external periphery of the frame-shaped wall part. However,the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The cap canbe configured such that the side wall parts of the cap partiallysurround the external periphery of the frame-shaped wall part.

The first through third embodiments describe examples in which the capused as an example of an “attachment member” of the present disclosureis formed so that the fastening member 40 is covered by the lid part andthe side wall parts. However, the present disclosure is not limited tothis configuration. The attachment member can be formed so that thefastening member 40 is partially exposed inside the rear cover 6, andnot so that the attachment member completely covers the fastening member40.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 23 to 32, a flat-screen television receiver 400(e.g., television apparatus) in accordance with a fourth embodiment willnow be explained.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the television receiver 400. Thetelevision receiver 400 includes a liquid crystal television apparatus.A connecting device or connecting structure of the present disclosure isemployed in the television receiver 400. FIG. 24 is a side elevationalview of the television receiver 400.

The flat-screen television receiver 400 shown in FIG. 23 includes a backpanel 410 (e.g., a rear panel or rear chassis) with a plurality ofthrough-holes 412. The back panel 410 covers a liquid crystal displaymodule (not shown) from the back thereof. The through-holes 412 areformed at four locations in the back panel 410. As shown in FIG. 24, aplurality of attachment fixtures 430 (e.g., fastening members) of theconnecting device are attached at four locations (only two are shown inFIG. 24) on the inside of the back panel 410. Each of the attachmentfixtures 430 faces respective one of the through-holes 412. When theflat-screen television receiver 400 is used in a wall-mountedconfiguration, a wall-mount fitting (not shown) (e.g., a wall-mountfixture) superposed on an outer surface of the back panel 410 is fixedto the back panel 410 using machine screws or screws 402 (see in FIG.28) inserted in the through-holes 412 and screwed into threaded holes(not shown). The flat-screen television receiver 400 is attached to awall surface by engaging a hook part provided to the wall-mount fittingwith a mating-side locking member fixed to an indoor wall surface, forexample.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the attachment fixture 430, FIG. 26 isa top plan view of the attachment fixture 430, and FIG. 27 is a sideelevational view of the attachment fixture 430. The attachment fixture430 is identical to or similar to the fastening member 40 shown in FIG.9.

As shown in FIGS. 25 through 27, the attachment fixture 430 has anattachment fixture body 431 formed in a substantially rectangular ringshape in plan view by folding a thick band-shaped sheet-metal member ina plurality of locations (four locations in the example shown in FIG.25) in the longitudinal direction thereof. The attachment fixture 430 isintegrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member. The attachment fixturebody 431 has a plate-shaped part 437 (e.g., a receiving part), and firstand second bent parts that extend from the plate-shaped part 437. Thefirst bent part has an end or inside piece 432 (e.g., a first end plate)with a threaded hole 435. The second bent part has an end or outsidepiece 433 (e.g., a second end plate) with a machine screw insertion hole436 (e.g., screw insertion hole). The attachment fixture body 431 alsohas an overlapping part 434 in which the inside piece 432 at one end inthe longitudinal direction and the outside piece 433 at the other end inthe longitudinal direction of the sheet-metal member overlap each other.Furthermore, with the overlapping part 434, the inside piece 432 at oneend is disposed on the inside, and the outside piece 433 at the otherend is disposed on the outside. The threaded hole 435 passing throughthe inside piece 432 is formed in the center of the inside piece 432 atone end, while the machine screw insertion hole 436 having a somewhatlarger diameter than the threaded hole 435 is formed in the center ofthe outside piece 433 at the other end. The machine screw insertion hole436 is concentrically formed relative to the threaded hole 435. Thereceiving part 438 receives a distal end part 404 (e.g., distal end) ofthe machine screw 402 such that the machine screw 402 is prevented frombeing screwed beyond the receiving part 438.

The plate-shaped part 437 has a substantially rectangular shape, andfaces with the overlapping part 434. In a case in which a machine screw(not shown) inserted in the machine screw insertion hole 436 of theoverlapping part 434 and screwed into the threaded hole 435 protrudespast a certain length through the threaded hole 435, the plate-shapedpart 437 serves as a receiving part 438 for stopping a distal end partof the machine screw and preventing the machine screw from screwing intoo far. As is apparent from FIG. 27, in the attachment fixture 430according to this embodiment, a protruding part 439 formed by a burringprocess is formed in the inside piece 432 as a measure for extending theaxial length of the threaded hole 435 formed in the inside piece 432.Furthermore, a hole part formed by the protruding part 439 is includedin the threaded hole 435.

As shown in FIG. 27, the attachment fixture body 431 includes the insidepiece 432, the outside piece 433, and the plate-shaped part 437 whichforms the receiving part 438. Furthermore, the attachment fixture body431 includes a side plate part 443 (e.g., first side plate) on one sideand a side plate part 446 (e.g., second side plate) on the other side.The side plate part 443 on one side is connectedly provided to one endpart (e.g., a first end portion) in the longitudinal direction of theplate-shaped part 437 and to the inside piece 432 so as to extendtherebetween via folded parts 441 and 442. The folded part 441 isdisposed between the one end part of the plate-shaped part 437 and theside plate part 443. The side plate part 446 on the other side isconnectedly provided to the other end part (e.g., a second end portion)in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped part 437 and to theoutside piece 433 so as to extend therebetween via folded parts 444 and445. The folded part 444 is disposed between the other end part of theplate-shaped part 437 and the side plate part 446.

When the configuration described above is adopted for the attachmentfixture 430, the process of fabricating the attachment fixture 430includes only bending, hole drilling, screw thread cutting, or the likeof a band-shaped sheet-metal member. Thus, there is no need for adeep-drawing process for forming a cavity as a conventional attachmentfixture. Therefore, not only can the attachment fixture 430 be easilyfabricated, but the fabrication process is advantageous over that of theconventional attachment fixture in terms of material, technique, cost,and other factors. The defect rate also decreases, and size reduction isalso more easily promoted.

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the attachment fixture 430 showinga state in which the attachment fixture 430 and the machine screw 402are coupled. As shown in FIG. 28, the machine screw 402 is inserted inthe machine screw insertion hole 436 provided in the overlapping part434 of the attachment fixture 430 and screwed into the threaded hole435. In the case that the machine screw 402 screwed into the threadedhole 435 in this manner has an appropriate axial length, there is nopossibility of the distal end part 404 of the machine screw 402 abuttingthe receiving part 438 by being screwed in too far. However, when themachine screw 402 having a large axial length is misapplied and screwedinto the threaded hole 435 as shown in FIG. 28, screwing in of themachine screw 402 too far leads to a situation in which the machinescrew 402 protrudes significantly from the threaded hole 435 and thedistal end part 404 abuts the receiving part 438. Notwithstanding such asituation, since the receiving part 438 stops the distal end part 404 ofthe machine screw 402 and prevents the machine screw 402 from screwingin too far, it is impossible for the distal end part 404 of the machinescrew 402 to protrude past the receiving part 438. Consequently, thereis no risk of the distal end part 404 of the machine screw 402protruding past the receiving part 438 and contacting any object facingthe receiving part 438 outside of the attachment fixture 430, such aswiring boards, electrical/electronic components, or other mechanicalcomponents, for example.

As shown in FIG. 28, when the machine screw 402 having a large axiallength is misapplied and screwed into the threaded hole 435, a conditionoccurs in which the receiving part 438 is pushed in the direction of thearrow Y by the abutting of the distal end part 404 against the receivingpart 438. The receiving part 438 receives a deforming load which causesthe inside piece 432 and the outside piece 433 to open outward asindicated by the arrows X1 and X2 at the overlapping part 434 of theattachment fixture 430. However, the machine screw 402 is passed throughthe threaded hole 435 of the inside piece 432 and the machine screwinsertion hole 436 of the outside piece 433. Thus, the machine screw 402prevents the inside piece 432 and the outside piece 433 from beingdeformed open by the load described above. Therefore, deformation of theattachment fixture 430 also cannot occur.

A structure for attaching the attachment fixture 430 described above tothe flat-screen television receiver 400 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 willnext be described.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment structure,showing an arrangement of the attachment structure inside of the backpanel 410. A fixing means or structure 450 is provided to attach theattachment fixture 430 to the inside of the back panel 410. The fixingstructure 450 has an attachment fixture accommodating frame 460, a capbody 470 which is an electrically insulating resin molding, an engagingmeans or structure 480, and an elastic urging means or structure 490(see FIG. 32).

As shown in FIG. 29, the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 is arectangular ring-shaped frame provided so as to protrude toward the backfrom the back panel 410 in a position surrounding the through-holes 412of the back panel 410. The attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 ismolded of resin integrally with the back panel 410.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the cap body 470 showing an internalconfiguration of the cap body 470, FIG. 31 is a side elevational view ofthe cap body 470, with a partial cross sectional view of the cup bodytaken along line XXXI-XXXI line in FIG. 30. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectionalview of the attachment structure for attaching the attachment fixture430.

As shown in FIG. 32, the attachment fixture 430 is inserted into andaccommodated in the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460. In thisaccommodated state, the attachment fixture 430 is sandwiched in twoorthogonal axes by the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 andpositioned in a direction along a flat inside surface of the back panel410. In order to achieve more reliable positioning of the attachmentfixture 430 by the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 in thepresent embodiment, ribs 461 are provided to a pair of flat mutuallyopposing inside surfaces of the attachment fixture accommodating frame460. The ribs 461 make contact with the side plate part 443 on one sideand the side plate part 446 on the other side, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the cap body 470 has a rectangularring-shaped peripheral wall 471 and a top wall 472 which is provided atone end part of the peripheral wall. As shown in FIG. 32, the cap body470 is fitted on the outside of the attachment fixture accommodatingframe 460 without significant looseness. When the cap body 470 is fittedon the outside of the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 in thismanner, the attachment fixture 430 accommodated in the attachmentfixture accommodating frame 460 is covered by the cap body 470.

The engaging structure 480 is used to connect the cap body 470 to theback panel 410. As shown in FIGS. 29, 30 and 31, the engaging structure480 includes a pair of engaging claws 481 and a pair of hooks 482. Theengaging claws 481 are provided opposite each other on side surfaces ofthe peripheral wall 471 of the cap body 470. The hooks 482 protrudeintegrally from the back panel 410. The hooks 482 are each provided witha claw part 483 for engaging with the respective engaging claw 481. Whenthe cap body 470 is fitted in the attachment fixture accommodating frame460 in the manner described above, as fitting takes place, the engagingclaws 481 engage on the claw parts 483 as shown in FIG. 32 aftersurmounting the claw parts 483 while elastically deforming the hooks482. Consequently, the cap body 470 is fixed to the back panel 410 inthe manner shown in FIG. 32 by the action of the engaging structure 480.

The elastic urging structure 490 will next be described. The elasticurging structure 490 is interposed between the cap body 470 and theattachment fixture 430, and serves to elastically urge and press theattachment fixture 430 against a receiving surface 413 (see FIG. 32)provided to the back panel 410.

As shown in FIG. 32, the elastic urging structure 490 is formed by apair of inclined surfaces 491 and a pair of tab-shaped resin springparts 492. The inclined surfaces 491 are provided to the attachmentfixture 430 and inclined so that the space therebetween widens towardthe back panel 410. The spring parts 492 elastically contact with theinclined surfaces 491, respectively. The resin spring parts 492 aremolded integrally with the cap body 470. In this embodiment, a pair ofarc-shaped curved surfaces (see FIG. 27) which form the outside surfacesof the folded parts 441 and 444 at the longitudinal ends of theplate-shaped part 437 of the attachment fixture 430 is used as theinclined surfaces 491. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, two pairs of resinspring parts 492 are provided to the cap body 470. When the two pairs ofresin spring parts 492 on the cap body 470 side elastically contact withthe inclined surfaces 491 on the attachment fixture 430 side, the resinspring parts 492 are pushed against the inclined surfaces 491 anddeformed outward. Furthermore, the inclined surfaces 491 are pressedinward as indicated by the arrows a in FIG. 32 by the return force ofthe resin spring parts 492. As a result, a force is generated thatpushes the attachment fixture 430 toward the receiving surface 413 ofthe back panel 410 in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 32. Thus, astate occurs in which the attachment fixture 430 is continually pressedagainst the receiving surface 413 of the back panel 410.

In the attachment structure shown in FIG. 32, a wiring board 406 forcontrolling a liquid crystal display module is disposed in the vicinityof the location in which the attachment fixture 430 is attached.However, the screwing depth of the machine screw 402 (see FIG. 28)inserted in the through-hole 412 of the back panel 410 and the machinescrew insertion hole 436 provided to the overlapping part 434 of theattachment fixture 430 and screwed into the threaded hole 435 isrestricted by the abutting of the distal end part 404 of the machinescrew 402 against the receiving part 438. Therefore, even when a longmachine screw 402 is misapplied and screwed in, there is no possibilityof the distal end part 404 of the machine screw 402 contacting thewiring board 406 or an electrical/electronic component mounted thereto.In the case that the machine screw 402 has an appropriate axial length,there is no possibility of the distal end part of the machine screw 402abutting the receiving part 438 by being screwed in too far.

As described with reference to FIG. 28, even when the distal end part404 of the misapplied machine screw 402 abuts the receiving part 438,there is no possibility of the attachment fixture 430 becoming deformedas a result.

Through the attachment structure for the attachment fixture 430 shown inFIG. 32, the attachment fixture 430 is sandwiched in two orthogonal axesby the attachment fixture accommodating frame 460 and positioned in adirection along a flat inside surface of the back panel 410.Furthermore, a state occurs in which the attachment fixture 430 iscontinually pressed against the receiving surface 413 of the back panel410 by the action of the elastic urging structure 490. The attachmentfixture 430 is therefore less prone to generate a rattling sound due tovibration caused by loudness or other effects of the speakers of thetelevision receiver 400. Since the metal attachment fixture 430 iscovered by the cap body 470 formed of an electrically insulating resinmolding, even when static electricity transfers from a through-hole 412of the back panel 410 to charge the attachment fixture 430, the staticelectricity is blocked by the cap body 470. Thus, there is no risk ofthe static electricity causing a control circuit of the wiring board 406to malfunction.

In the fourth embodiment, the attachment structure for the attachmentfixture 430 is explained as having a configuration shown in FIG. 32.However, a configuration can be adopted in which another structure,e.g., a screw fitting or other means, is used to attach the attachmentfixture 430 to the back panel 410.

The connecting device in accordance with the fourth embodiment has themachine screw 402 and the attachment fixture 430. The attachment fixture430 has the threaded hole 435 and the receiving part 438. The machinescrew 402 is screwed into the threaded hole 435. The receiving part 438stops the distal end part 404 of the machine screw 402 screwed into thethreaded hole 435 and prevents the machine screw 402 from screwing intoo far.

In the attachment fixture 430, the attachment fixture body 431 is formedby folding a band-shaped sheet-metal member in a plurality of locationsin the longitudinal direction thereof. The attachment fixture body 431has the overlapping part 434 and the plate-shaped part 437. At theoverlapping part 434, the inside piece 432 at one end of the sheet-metalmember and the outside piece 433 at the other end thereof in thelongitudinal direction overlap each other. The plate-shaped part 437faces the overlapping part 434. The threaded hole 435 is formed passingthrough the inside piece 432 at one end of the sheet-metal memberdisposed on an inside of the overlapping part 434. The machine screwinsertion hole 436 in which the machine screw 402 is inserted is formedin the outside piece 433 at the other end of the sheet-metal memberdisposed on an outside of the overlapping part 434. The receiving part438 is formed by the plate-shaped part 437.

In this configuration, the attachment fixture body 431 is formed byfolding a band-shaped sheet-metal member in a plurality of locations inthe longitudinal direction thereof. The threaded hole 435 and themachine screw insertion hole 436 are formed in the inside and outsidepieces 432 and 433 at one end and the other end of the sheet-metalmember, respectively. The inside and outside pieces 432 and 433 aredisposed on the inside and outside of the overlapping part 434,respectively. There is therefore no need to perform deep-drawing to formthe threaded hole. Regardless of this fact, the receiving part 438 forstopping the distal end part 404 of the machine screw 402 screwed intothe threaded hole 435 and preventing the machine screw 402 from screwingin too far is formed by the plate-shaped part 437 of the attachmentfixture body 431. Thus, there is no room for the distal end part 404 ofthe machine screw 402 to contact the wiring board 406 or other energizedpart when screwed in too far as a result of misapplication of themachine screw 402.

Fabrication of the attachment fixture 430 does not include adeep-drawing process and can be performed merely by a simple process ofbending, hole drilling, screw thread cutting, or the like, and cantherefore be inexpensively performed. Reduction in defect rates is alsopromoted. Furthermore, since there is no need to consider material flowsuch as occurs in deep-drawing, size reduction is readily promoted.

In the fourth embodiment, the attachment fixture body 431 has the insideand outside pieces 432 and 433 at one end and the other end in thelongitudinal direction of the sheet-metal member forming the overlappingpart 434. The attachment fixture body 431 also has the plate-shaped part437 for forming the receiving part 438. The attachment fixture body 431also has the side plate part 443 on one side connectedly provided to oneend part in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped part 437 andto the inside piece 432 at one end so as to extend therebetween via thefolded parts 441 and 442. The attachment fixture body 431 also has theside plate part 446 on the other side connectedly provided to the otherend part in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped part 437 andto the outside piece 433 at the other end so as to extend therebetweenvia the folded parts 444 and 445. The shape in side view of theattachment fixture body 431 is a substantially rectangular ring shape.When this configuration is adopted, a condition occurs in which thedistal end part 404 of the misapplied machine screw 402 comes in contactwith the receiving part 438 formed by the plate-shaped part 437 andstrongly pushes against the receiving part 438. Even when the inside andoutside pieces 432 and 433 at one end and the other end of theoverlapping part 434 are subjected to a load which acts to deform theinside and outside pieces 432 and 433 in the opening direction thereof,the machine screw 402 inserted in the machine screw insertion hole 436in the outside piece 433 at the other end is screwed into the threadedhole 435 in the inside piece 432 at the one end. Thus, an effect isdemonstrated whereby the inside and outside pieces 432 and 433 at oneend and the other end of the overlapping part 434 are prevented fromdeforming open by the machine screw 402.

In the fourth embodiment, the attachment fixture 430 is attached to aninside of the back panel 410 of the television receiver 400. Thethreaded hole 435 and the machine screw insertion hole 436 of theattachment fixture 430 face the through-hole 412 provided to the backpanel 410. The machine screw 402 inserted in the through-hole 412 andthe machine screw insertion hole 436 and screwed into the threaded hole435 is a machine screw for fixing a wall-mount fitting, used to fix thetelevision receiver 400 to a wall surface, to the back panel 410.Through this configuration, the television receiver 400 can be used in awall-mounted configuration. Even when the wiring board 406 for controlof a display module (liquid crystal display module or the like) of thetelevision receiver 400 is disposed in the vicinity of the location inwhich the attachment fixture 430 is attached, and a long machine screw402 is misapplied as the machine screw for fixing the wall-mount fittingto the back panel 410, there is no longer a risk of the distal end part404 of the machine screw 402 contacting the wiring board 406 forcontrol, an electrical/electronic component mounted to the wiring board406, or another energized part and causing an unexpected malfunction oraccident. Since effects are demonstrated whereby the misapplied longmachine screw 402 is prevented from causing opening deformation of theinside and outside pieces 432 and 433 at one end and the other end ofthe overlapping part 434 of the attachment fixture 430, the televisionreceiver 400 mounted on the wall surface is no longer tilted orotherwise affected by deformation of the attachment fixture 430.

The connecting device in accordance with the fourth embodiment can beused not only when the television receiver 400 is used in a wall-mountedconfiguration, but in other applications as well. For example, thepresent disclosure can be applied in the same manner when aportable-type television receiver, a photo frame, a speaker, or the likeis used in a wall-mounted configuration. The present disclosure can alsobe used as an antenna fixing part for fixing an antenna to the chassisof an audio-visual (AV) instrument or the like.

In the fourth embodiment, as described above, the connecting device hasthe machine screw 402 and the attachment fixture 430 having the threadedhole 435 into which the machine screw 402 is screwed and the receivingpart 438 for preventing the machine screw 402 from screwing in too far.The attachment fixture 430 can be fabricated merely by a process ofbending, hole drilling, screw thread cutting, or the like from aband-shaped sheet-metal member. This configuration produces effectswhereby not only can the connecting device be fabricated at low cost andmore easily than by deep-drawing or the like, but reduction in size andreduction of the product defect rate are also promoted. There is also noopportunity for malfunctioning or accidents due to contacting of wiringboards or other energized parts by the distal end part 404 of themisapplied machine screw 402 when the machine screw 402 is screwed intoo far.

The effects described above are also demonstrated as such when theconnecting device of the present disclosure is employed for using thetelevision receiver 400 in the wall-mounted configuration.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a chassis made ofelectrically insulating material; a fastening member; and a cap membermade of electrically insulating material, and including an inner sidesurface that defines a cavity, the chassis including a housing side wallthat extends in a first direction perpendicular to an inside surface ofthe chassis and has an inner side surface and an outer side surface thatface away relative to each other in a second direction intersecting withthe first direction, the inner side surface of the housing side walldefining an interior housing space in which the fastening member isdisposed, and the cap member being attached to the chassis to cover thehousing side wall and the fastening member, the inner side surface ofthe cap member at least partially facing with the outer side surface ofthe housing side wall in the second direction.
 2. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a screw extending through athrough-hole of the chassis and screwed into a threaded hole of thefastening member, the fastening member being disposed inside thechassis, and the cap member retaining the fastening member relative tothe chassis, the cap member having a first engaging part that engageswith an internal portion of the chassis.
 3. The display device accordingto claim 1, wherein the chassis is made of resin.
 4. The display deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the internal portion of the chassis has asecond engaging part that engages with the first engaging part of thecap member.
 5. The display device according to claim 2, wherein theinternal portion of the chassis has a positioning part that aligns thethreaded hole of the fastening member relative to the through-hole ofthe chassis.
 6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein thehousing side wall of the chassis is frame-shaped and includes thepositioning part, the housing side wall surrounding an externalperiphery of the fastening member.
 7. The display device according toclaim 2, wherein the fastening member further includes a screw receivingpart that receives a distal end of the screw.
 8. The display deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the fastening member further includes anoverlapping part that is formed by folding a sheet-shaped metal memberand superposes both ends thereof on each other, and a facing part thatfaces the overlapping part, the overlapping part having the threadedhole of the fastening member, and the facing part forming the screwreceiving part of the fastening member.
 9. The display device accordingto claim 2, wherein the cap member further includes an urging part thaturges the fastening member toward the inside surface of the chassis. 10.The display device according to claim 9, wherein the urging partincludes a deformable protrusion that is formed integrally with the capmember between the cap member and the fastening member.
 11. The displaydevice according to claim 10, wherein the fastening member further has apair of inclined parts that is inclined with a gap therebetweenenlarging toward the inside surface of the chassis, and the urging partfurther includes an additional deformable protrusion, the deformableprotrusion and the additional deformable protrusion contacting with theinclined parts, respectively.
 12. The display device according to claim4, wherein the first engaging part of the cap member includes a firstengaging piece that protrudes in a direction along the inside surface ofthe chassis, the second engaging part of the chassis includes a secondengaging piece that stands from the inside surface of the chassis andextends in the direction along the inside surface of the chassis, andthe first engaging part is engaged with the second engaging part in adirection orthogonal to the inside surface of the chassis by moving thecap member in the direction along the inside surface of the chassis. 13.The display device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of thechassis and the cap member has a restricting part that restrictsmovement of the cap member in the direction along the inside surface ofthe chassis while the first engaging piece of the first engaging partand the second engaging piece of the second engaging part are engaged.14. A display device comprising: a display unit; a chassis made ofelectrically insulating material; a fastening member made of metal; anattachment member covering the fastening member, the attachment memberbeing made of an electrically insulating resin material, the attachmentmember including a cavity; and a screw extending through a through-holeof the chassis and screwed into a threaded hole of the fastening member,the chassis including a housing wall part that extends inside thechassis from an inside surface of the chassis and at least partiallysurrounds the fastening member, an inner wall surface of the cavity ofthe attachment member at least partially surrounding an externalperiphery of the housing wall part, the fastening member being disposedinside the chassis, the attachment member retaining the fastening memberrelative to the chassis, the attachment member having a first engagingpart that engages with an internal portion of the chassis.
 15. Thedisplay device according to claim 14, wherein the attachment member hasa cap shaped portion, the cap shaped portion including a side wall partthat surrounds the fastening member from sides thereof, and a lid partthat covers the side wall part.
 16. A display device comprising: achassis made of electrically insulating material; a fastening member; acap member made of electrically insulating material, and including aninner side surface that defines a cavity; and a screw extending througha through-hole of the chassis and screwed into a threaded hole of thefastening member, the chassis including a housing side wall that extendsin a first direction perpendicular to an inside surface of the chassisand has an inner side surface and an outer side surface that face awayrelative to each other in a second direction intersecting with the firstdirection, the inner side surface of the housing side wall defining aninterior housing space in which the fastening member is disposed, thecap member being attached to the chassis to cover the housing side walland the fastening member, the inner side surface of the cap member atleast partially facing with the outer side surface of the housing sidewall in the second direction, the fastening member being disposed insidethe chassis, the cap member retaining the fastening member relative tothe chassis, the cap member having a first engaging part that engageswith an internal portion of the chassis, the internal portion of thechassis has a second engaging part that engages with the first engagingpart of the cap member, the second engaging part of the chassisincluding a hook part that outwardly protrudes with respect to thethrough-hole, and the first engaging part of the cap member including anengaging concavity, the engaging concavity engaging with the hook partfrom outside of the hook part.
 17. The display device according to claim16, wherein the first engaging part of the cap member has higherflexibility than the second engaging part of the chassis, and the hookpart of the second engaging part and the engaging concavity of the firstengaging part are engaged by flexing the first engaging part.
 18. Thedisplay device according to claim 17, wherein the cap member includes alid part that faces the inside surface of the chassis, and a side wallpart that extends toward the inside surface of the chassis from aperipheral edge of the lid part, and the first engaging part of the capmember outwardly extends from the peripheral edge of the lid part, theengaging concavity engaging with the hook part on an outside of the sidewall part.